It has been more than a month since I last read my Google Reader. That felt like an abandoned inbox with tonnes of unread emails.

The folder I opened first? Blog updates from my friends.

Suddenly I felt as if I am still part of their world. Emotions, experiences and hopes from wherever they are at overwhelmed me as I read through the feeds, one after another.

It dawned on me that at this time and age, Internet is the one way for me to stay connected with the people I know in life. Yeah, Facebook is the de facto platform, but blogging shows much more depth on how your friends are doing and feeling.

So if you have not been updating your blog, please do. For I miss you and I want to know how you are doing.

The first time we met was when I was a small lad of thirteen. We often recounted that fateful morning with much glee… at least for him. He remembers me as the new band recruit who dressed in purple pants (as in slack, not jeans!) with matching purple-patterned top.

I was a literal walking fashion disaster, and he picked on me. Yes he did, although at that time I was too nervous as it was my first day with the military band.

How would I know the friendship will span over almost two decades?

As we grew up together, proudly as Michaelians – head prefects, band leaders, goody-two-shoes in school – we learned not to throttle each other. We learned to tolerate each others’ arrogance and flaws, we learned to accept what can and can’t be changed.

Over the years, we sure went through a lot of drama together. Oh yes. The nights of long phone conversations, heated arguments under the sun, sobbing episodes during band camp… I remember them.

Soon we reached a point when I left school, and him in university. My letter of acceptance from Singapore came, and was besides myself with excitement. In my last coffee session with him (back then, alcohol is foreign in my dictionary), we talked about a lot of things, but he left me a message that I remember to this day.

“I know you are very excited for Singapore, and you have made this decision in good fate for your future. But had you decided differently, it would have made a lot of difference to many people”

I carry that with me as make new friends in Singapore, where I celebrated most of my twenties. In the next decade or so, I met up with him everytime I return to Ipoh. Those sessions never fail to rejuvenate and reaffirm me as person.

Fast forward to early this year… when I got wind that he was moving to Singapore! Excited was an understatement; I was immensely proud and I can’t wait to show him my life in Singapore.

I want to introduce him to my friends here as was my mentor, my angel, and my friend. For without him, I wouldn’t be who I am today.

He is Liang Hin, whom I have known for so many years that I don’t know what I would do without him.

Now again, we have come to a crossroad, where our lives will take on in different directions. Our “reunion” was short-lived, but I am confident to walk away knowing that our friendship will remain steadfast, true and pure to face whatever fate throws in our way.

It had been so for the past (almost) two decades, it will continue to be so for the years to come.

I was honoured to be a part of one of the most beautiful weddings ever, last Saturday.

Terence has been my buddy since university days. I remember how we “got together” over endless meals, movies and studies, well into our graduation days and when we started working. Over the years, he has been a part of the small uni-mates gang which I am constantly in touch with.

I also witnessed how he got to know the then-bride-to-be, Dora, back in NTU. How he got to know her, how they met, how they overcome obstacles in becoming an item, and how they finally tie the knot, almost seven years later.

Terence is now a full-fledged pilot with Singapore Airlines, and Dora is a stewardess. They got to be the most awesome couple I have even seen being together.

When Terence asked me to be one of his “brothers” during the wedding (it’s a Chinese tradition thing), I was flattered. But I didn’t really know the other “brothers”, so I asked Terence if it was awkward for him, and that it will be alright if he thinks it’s better for me to pull out.

“Don’t be silly,” he said in a reply SMS. “I want all my best friends to be part of the wedding, and I want you to be there.”

Well, what could I say? I was so moved by his honesty, and I said yes, of course I will be there.

And what a ceremony it turned out to be. It started right at dawn (at six in the morning, to be exact!), and continued on till way past midnight in the couple’s suite at Marina Mandarin. The solemnisation ceremony was especially beautiful. I was standing at the back with Tony and Yali, and to my embarrassment I welled up. In happiness. For my buddy to have found a beautiful wife like Dora, to take on the next phase in his life with her so bravely, and to see that they are really, really destined for each other.

To the both of you, Terence and Dora, I wish you well and a lifetime of happiness as you journey into the exciting realm of marriage. And I am honoured to have known you, and look forward to an everlasting friendship between us.

Click here for the entire set of “unofficial photos” of the wedding taken by yours truly.